"When told it was the Sabbath morning, she looked up brightly and said, 'I think He will come for me to-day.' Over and over again, she said, 'He strengthens me.' Mrs. Carr and Mrs. Benson came in this morning and were very helpful. The doctor has been up again, and says he is _still_ hopeful. So _we_ hope and watch." "Sabbath evening. "The sick one continues much the same as earlier in the day. Mrs. Blaisdell and Mrs. Merrill came to offer their sympathy. Dr. Taggart came again and desired that she might renew the whiskey. This she promised to do. Mr. Bushnell has been in and expressed his confidence in the _minne-wakan_ for those who are ready to perish." "Monday morn, 5:30 o'clock. "The end seems to be coming on apace. Anna and Alfred watched the first part of the night, and Mrs. Wheeler and I have been watching since. The difficulty of breathing has increased within the last few hours, and added to it is a rattling in the throat. Your mother called my attention to it about three o'clock. It seems now as if we can't do much but smooth the way, which we do tenderly--lovingly." "Seven o'clock, A. M. "The battle is fought, the conflict is ended, the victory is won, and that _sooner_ than we expected. Your mother's life's drama is closed--the curtain is drawn. "About one hour ago she called for some tea. Mrs. Wheeler hasted and made some fresh. When she had taken that, we gave her also the medicine for the hour. She then appeared to lie easily. I sat down to write a note to Thomas, who was in the Freedman's work in Mississippi. But I had written only a few lines when Mrs. Wheeler called me. She had noticed a change come on very suddenly. When I reached the bedside, your mother could not speak, and did not recognize me by any sign. She was passing through the deep waters, and had even then reached the farther shore. "Mrs. Wheeler called up the children, and sent Robbie for Alfred. But, before he could come, the mother had breathed her last breath. Quietly, peacefully, without a struggle, only the gasping out of life, she passed beyond our reach of vision. "Yesterday she had said to me, 'I have neglected the flowers.' I asked, 'What flowers?' She replied, 'The immortelles.' _Dear, good one, she has gone to the flower-garden of God._" CHAPTER XVI.